Statistics Fundamentals Vocabulary

Basic statistical terms and illustrative examples covering populations, samples, variables, and measurements.

Variable

The "unknown" or what you want to learn about; essentially what you want to know, where the responses are referred to as DATA.

Population

The BIG PICTURE FOCUS representing the entire group you want to learn about; the description usually includes or implies the word "all".

Parameter

A numeric measurement associated with the population, such as the average, mean, median, proportion, or percentage.

Sample

The SMALL FOCUS GROUP that is manageable for obtaining information representing "some" of the population; it should be random and representative.

Statistic

A numeric measurement associated with the sample, such as the average, mean, median, proportion, or percentage.

Data

The actual responses collected from a question or variable.

Census

A process, such as that attempted by the federal government every $10$ years, to obtain information from "all" members of a population.

AIDS antibody drug study Variable

The length of time in months patients live once they start the treatment.

AIDS antibody drug study Population

All AIDS patients whose symptoms have revealed themselves.

AIDS antibody drug study Sample

The specific $40$ patients with AIDS whose symptoms have revealed themselves and are followed by the researcher.

Georgia Highlands College Study Variable

The program of study (major) at Georgia Highlands College in Fall $2018$.

Georgia Highlands College Study Population

All Georgia Highlands College students enrolled in Fall $2018$.

Georgia Highlands College Study Sample

Thirty randomly selected students enrolled in MATH $2200$ during Fall $2018$ at GHC.